Double trouble for Lanka

Colombo : India bulldozed Sri Lanka by 168 runs in the fourth ODI after skipper Virat Kohli and opener Rohit Sharma smashed blistering hundreds to put the tourists 4-0 up in the five-match series here today. It’s Sri Lanka’s biggest ODI defeat on home soil in terms of runs and leaves them unable to claim the two victories they needed in the series to ensure automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup.
With the series already in the bag, India amassed 375/5 after electing to bat, though they had looked on course for a 400-plus total while Kohli and Sharma were at the crease. It didn’t matter, though, as Sri Lanka collapsed to 207 in 42.4 overs, with only Angelo Mathews offering any real resistance with a fighting 70.
India lost opener Shikhar Dhawan cheaply but Kohli and Sharma dominated Sri Lanka’s toothless attack during their 219-run stand for the second wicket. Kohli was in sublime form and, having set the tone with a hat-trick of fours against Vishwa Fernando early on, needed only 76 balls to bring up his 29th ODI century. Lasith Malinga ended the onslaught by dismissing Kohli for 131, the paceman’s 300th ODI wicket. Kohli’s 96-ball knock included 17 boundaries and two sixes.